Chelsea down Milan to set up Real Madrid showdown

AFP, EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey

Chelsea’s Demba Ba, second left, and AC Milan’s Cristian Zapata, second right, battle for the ball in their International Champions Cup match at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday.

Photo: AFP

Goals from Kevin de Bruyne and Andre Schuerlle lifted Chelsea to a 2-0 victory over AC Milan on Sunday and set up a match for manager Jose Mourinho against his former club Real Madrid.

Mourinho, who left Real Madrid two months ago to return to the London club, and Chelsea face off against the 32-time Spanish champions tomorrow at Miami’s Sun Life Stadium for the inaugural title in the International Champions Cup, an eight-team friendly tournament.

Chelsea are the only side who have not conceded a goal in their first two matches, while Real, who beat Everton 2-1 in Los Angeles on Saturday, have a tournament-high five goals.

EARLY CHANCE

On Sunday, Branislav Ivanovic gave Chelsea the initiative in the fourth minute, finding space on the left near the byline, only to have his effort blocked at the right post by Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.

Ivanvonic put a header wide in the 12th minute, before Milan had their first chance, a blast by Kevin-Prince Boateng that went high and wide.

De Bruyne had a goal disallowed in the 22nd minute for offside, but Chelsea got on the scoresheet in the 29th minute when Eden Hazard found space on the left, dribbled toward the middle and passed to an unmarked De Bruyne.

The 22-year-old Belgian international, who transferred from Genk last year, but spent last season on loan at Werder Bremen, angled a shot across the goal.

It was not until the second minute of stoppage-time that Chelsea added another goal, when Victor Moses broke free on the left and sent a ball across the area to Schuerrle.

The 22-year-old Germany international, who joined Chelsea for a reported 21 million euros (US$28 million) from Bayer 04 Leverkusen in June, volleyed the ball low inside the right post.

DOUBLE-HEADER

The match was part of a double-header at the MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Jets and the New York Giants.

Jonathan Vanega scored a goal in each half, and Ever Banega and Jonas also scored for Spain’s Valencia in a 4-0 victory over Inter.